PRESS RELEASE
Two Baker City-area men are being charged in Baker County Circuit Court on multiple trapping and wildlife-related crimes following an Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division investigation.
On Feb. 13, OSP Fish & Wildlife Division troopers located several illegal traps and snares within the Baker City Municipal Watershed near Marble and Goodrich Creeks on private property and property owned by Baker City. These illegal traps and snares were utilizing both game mammals and game birds for bait, including mallard ducks, cougars and a whitetail deer carcass. Many were not branded as required by law, were unlawfully using sight bait, or did not have the required jaw spacers.
Traps, snares and other evidence including duck and cougar carcasses, whitetail deer antlers, turkey parts and bobcat hides were seized relating to this investigation.
As a result of the investigation, the following persons were charged with the listed wildlife crimes:
JAKE I. JONES, age 43, from Baker City
* Trapping Prohibited Method Using Game Bird Flesh for Trap Bait
* Trapping Prohibited Method Using Game Mammal Flesh for Trap Bait (2 Counts)
* Trapping Prohibited Method No Jaw Spacers
* Unbranded Traps
* Tampering With Evidence
* Unlawful Possession of Wildlife - Whitetail Deer
* Unlawful Possession of Branded Trap No Written Permission
* Trapping in Violation of Criminal Trespass
* Criminal Trespass Second Degree
TOM KEATON, age 64, from Baker City
* Trapping Prohibited Method Sight Bait Within 15 Feet of Leghold Trap Set for Carnivores.
* Trapping Prohibited Method No Jaw Spacers
* Unlawful Possession of Wildlife to wit: Turkey
Reference to trapping laws can be found in the current Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations, and Oregon Administrative Rules 635-050-0045.
